of the TrunJcs of Timber Trees. 531 



XXXIV. 5 ft. 6 in. : xxxvi. 5 ft. 7i in. : xl. 3 ft. 9 in. ; xlv. 5 ft. 2 in. Though 

 we have plenty of sessile oaks in the neighbourhood, particularly near and on 

 the sides of hills, these are all of the pedunculate species ; and vary very 

 extremely in all grades of growth, as planters well know all trees will, though, 

 to all possible appearance, under precisely the same circumstances. Though 

 there are but two (perhaps three) real species of British oak, each of these, 

 especially the Q. pedunculata, or Q. i?6bur, have as infinite varieties as apples, 

 nuts, or any other tree whose varieties are more noted ; and those with narrow 

 and deeply-jagged leaves always make finer trees than the broad and loby- 

 leaved : indeed, the physiognomical character of each may be discerned at a 

 glance. 



In the last-named ground (round hawthorns), indulge me to mention, that 

 not far from Virgil's Beech is a grove of 6 oaks, one elm, one Spanish chestnut, 

 and one lime, planted by me in ISO-i, representing at the angles the celebrated 

 47th proposition of Euclid, discovered by Pythagoras. And also a crab tree, 

 brought and grafted by me in 1814, from the famous tree (now blown down, 

 and turned into boxes and fancy toys) at " Drunken Bidford," near Stratford 

 on Avon. And a mossy-cup oak, Q. Cerris, an acorn in 1808, girt 1 ft. 9 in. 



I now pass to other trees promiscuously, hardly knowing which to select, 

 or omit; and, as I have their age to accurate certainty, it may not be uninte- 

 resting. Great Cedar of Lebanon, middle of lawn, 8 ft. 3i in. ; diameter of 

 shade 34 ft. : planted 1773. This is free all round, and shall be so. Hemlock 

 Spruce : south, 4 ft. IQi in. ; north, 6 ft, 4^ in. : planted 1789. Cedar of Goa, 

 2 ft. lOiin. 1781. Red Virginian Cedar, 'pendulous over stone table, garden, 

 at 4 ft., "4 ft. 4 in. : removed there 1790. Cypress, largest, at 4 ft., 2 ft. 8 in. : 

 1782. Aphornousli Pine (P. Chnbra) east, seedling, planted 1781, 4 ft. 2iin. 

 Another, north, inarched from the former on Scotch fir, 4 ft. ll§in.: the 

 scion has much overgrown the stock. Another, inarched on Weymouth, 

 which has not so much overgrown the stock, 4 ft. 8|in. All these bear cones 

 occasionally ; but they are mostly eaten by the squirrels before quite ripe. 

 What I have sown germinated freely ; but I never could preserve them beyond 

 the third year. And cones I gave to the intelligent gardener at Powis Castle, 

 perished in like manner, with all his care. 1 have found the same disappoint- 

 ment with seeds of the stone pine, of which I had, about 20 years ago, three 

 large trees died without any apparent cause : they bore cones of enormous 

 magnitude. Spanish Chestnut, in south of front wood, middle of the three 

 overhanging the wall, 7 ft. 4 in. : planted 1757. Silver Fir, near south entrance 

 gate, 6ft. Gin.; planted 1773: a twin with 26 of the schedule, and growing 

 only 20 yards from it, and under apparently exactly the same circumstances, 

 yet exceeding it greatly. 



Largest of the " hedgerow elms," Broad Meadow Fields, fourth from gate 

 running north, 8 ft. 3^ in.: planted 1750. Largest of the/' hedgerow elms," run- 

 ning east, third from gate, 7 ft. 3 in. : planted 1765. Second wild cherry from 

 North Twyford Orchard, 3 ft. 11 in. : planted 1767. Lucombe Oak, Q. Cerris 

 var., 2 ft. il in. : planted 1808. There are two pinasters of very great height 

 and magnitude; butit is not possible to girt either, on account of the enormous 

 stems and masses of ivy (called the Irish) massing them to the very top; one 

 of the ivies itself, as nearly as can be ascertained, girts 1 ft. 8 in. The ivies 

 here are very remarkable for beauty and size : the walk leading to the west 

 gate has the side trees matted with their shaggy stalks and grotesque beards 

 very curiously, and the green wreaths dependent in long festoons and garlands: 

 it has been fancifully compared to the " sculptured pillars foliage bound," and 

 the highly decorated roof of Roslin's " proud chapelle." There are also fine 

 specimens of beautiful shrubs, arbutus, bay, &c., of tree-like size. In the 

 middle of the lawn is a weeping birch of fascinating elegance, whose tapering 

 stem has shot to a graceful length ; and, from the ring-doves sitting on its top, 

 has been induced to turn downwards, dangling in long tresses, like what were 

 formerly called, " love locks ;" through which it shows, as it recreates in the 

 summer air, its bark of white satin smooth and silvery. At bottom it is ex- 



